Quote:
Originally Posted by Czech Your Math
In terms of effectiveness, I don't think Jagr has many peers, and the numbers bear that out. I just don't see Beliveau as a very good comparison for Jagr, given that he was part of a dynasty in the O6 era. As I said, Hull and Espo seem the best comparison to me in terms of similarity of both achievement and circumstance.
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I agree, they aren't the best comparisons. Beliveau was a center, if that matters, and was effective until the day he retired. I don't think Jagr's overall game makes up for Beliveau's. Actually, the only thing Jagr beats him at would be more Art Rosses. Beliveau could play any style of game and if you throw in the fact he was better defensively, at least as good from a playmaking perspective and probably better as a goal scorer and top it all off with his leadership intangibles, then I don't see how Jagr could ever be rated ahead of him.
Sort of the same with Hull. I don't think a GM passes on Hull if they have a toss up between him and Jagr on their team. Jagr doesn't have a lot of peers, I agree, but if he does have players superior to him it is Beliveau and Hull.
Esposito fits the bill the best. Both won 5 Art Rosses (4 in a row), both played with an all-time great. You could do a decent Esposito/Jagr poll. In fact, I think Jagr has surpassed Lafleur all-time.